The scent of lavender smells good, clean, of lines well folded and carefully stored in the closets, of blue fields that are lost on the horizon. And it is precisely this perfume that envelops us when we open a bottle of its essential oil, obtained by steam distillation of lavender flowers. Lavender essential oil is probably one of the best known and appreciated and owes its fame to the relaxing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that characterize it and make it an essential oil to always have with you. So let's look at the action of lavender essential oil and its applications.
Calming, neuroprotective and against insomnia
Lavender essential oil, scientific name lavandula officinalis or angustifolia, shows an anxiolytic action, also useful to counteract depressions and sadness (Malcolm et al, Ment Health Clin, 2017). The calming properties of lavender seem to be due to its ability to increase the activity of the parasympathetic system, which is a part of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates rest and relaxation. Not only that, lavender is also neuroprotective. In fact, as has been shown by scientific research (Koulivand et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2013), the exposure to the aroma of lavender has been beneficial and has contributed to improving spatial memory in case of Alzheimer's disease. Finally, lavender also helps in case of insomnia, promotes rapid sleep onset and longer sleep duration (Koulivand et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2013). To benefit from the soothing and calming action of lavender essential oil, you can spread it in the environment, one drop per square meter of the room, using an oil burner lamp. Moreover, you can pour a couple of drops on a handkerchief that you can smell during the day or you can keep near the pillow.
Analgesic
Lavender essential oil proves useful in fighting pain, including chronic pain (Malcolm et al, Ment Health Clin, 2017). In addition to this, this essential oil is also excellent to be used in case of trauma and bruises since it fights inflammation and edema formation (Cardia et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018). You can apply lavender oil diluted in a carrier oil such as sunflower or sweet almond directly on the affected part. Then, especially in case of generalized pain and malaise, foot massages performed with lavender essential oil, always diluted in a carrier oil, proved to be very useful. In fact, after these massages, not only was it possible to observe a reduction in blood pressure but also in pain. Alternatively, in case of rheumatic, joint or muscle pain, try adding a dozen drops of lavender essential oil to the bath water and stay immersed for ten minutes. Even in case of painful menstruation you can find relief thanks to the antispasmodic properties of lavender essential oil. In fact, a massage with lavender, sage and marjoram essential oil according to the ratio 2 doses of lavender, one of sage and one of marjoram, diluted in a carrier oil, has alleviated the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Finally, spreading lavender essential oil around the room helped fight headaches.
Antibacterial and cicatrizing
Lavender essential oil is antibacterial and antifungal thanks to its active ingredients such as linalool, geraniol and eucalyptol, and helps wound healing processes (Malcolm et al, Ment Health Clin, 2017). Thanks to these characteristics, lavender oil is also an ally for acne sufferers. You can mix a drop of essential oil with a pinch of your face cream and apply on face or you can tap a drop of pure essence directly on the furuncle. Not only that, a drop of essential oil applied on the mosquito bite helps to calm the itch and fight inflammation. To increase the soothing action, you can mix lavender with a teaspoon of aloe gel and apply on the area.
Hair health
Lavender essential oil has also proven useful in promoting hair growth. An application on the scalp of 3% lavender oil diluted in a carrier oil, in this case jojoba, once a day for 5 days a week, for 4 weeks, has been shown to increase the number of hair follicles and the depth of the follicle (Lee et al, Toxicol Res, 2016). You can perform this massage on damp scalp, for example after spraying a floral water, leave on for ten minutes then rinse with the shampoo.
